Middlesex County Man Guilty in Saddle Brook Bank Robbery

Jorge Rodriguez, 46, of South River, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of bank robbery.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Rodriguez admitted using a BB air pistol to rob a TD Bank in Saddle Brook on April 19, 2013. Rodriguez entered the bank wearing a disguise, which included a hat with a dreadlocks wig attached to it. During the robbery, Rodriguez brandished the BB air pistol, handed a bag to a bank teller, and said, “Give me the money or I’ll shoot. You have two seconds.” The teller complied, and Rodriguez then fled the bank with the bag of money, which also included a dye pack. Rodriguez was apprehended shortly after the robbery, after the dye pack exploded.

The bank robbery count carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for September 23, 2014.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, along with the Saddle Brook Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Hafetz and David M. Eskew of the Criminal Division of U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.